Running: average pace vs height

melduf

Hi,
For those who have been running a while, what is your average pace and your height?

Why am I asking? I've been running for a few months now and my average pace has been improving. I started at 9 min/km and am now at 7 min/km. I'm wondering if I can keep improving or if this is it. I have friends who have been running for a shorter period of time and who are already faster than me.
Since I run on a university campus, I get lapped all the time by younger and fitter people. Monday I got lapped big time by a girl my height. Since I used to think that my height would prevent me from reaching a higher speed (I'm 5'1''), I would like to know how other people are doing in order to set a realistic goal. I like surpassing myself but I also don't want to set myself for failure.

For those who like data: I run 3 times a week, between 10 to 14 km a week. I'm 27 years old.
Thanks

georgetait42

You should only worry about beating yourself, it doesn't matter what other peoples times and speeds are.

I am 45 5'9 and run at around 5-6 min/km. 5 months and 42lbs ago I was running 8 min/km.

It doesn't matter how fast I get there is always someone younger and faster.

Azdak

Elite female marathoners are not tall. I have a friend who is 4'11" and regularly wins or places high in her age group (50+) for 10ks, marathons, triathlons, etc. for the most part, male or female, height has little to do with running speed at distance. If anything, tall people can be at a mechanical disadvantage.

melduf

Yeah, I guess I'm just feeling sorry for my little pudgy legs lol

corinne1977

I'm 5'2", 130 lbs, 37 y.o. and only do 11min/mile. I've been running for 4 years so my time as not improved much.

jstrun

You can always improve your time...you haven't been running long you still have lots of room for improvement. Strength training, higher weekly milleage will all help. I am 23, 5ft6 still very overweight and I run usually a 9:50 min / mile for shorter distances (10K max) another over that i run an 11 min / mile usually.

Rice27

I am 5 ft 1 and my pace depends on my training. I have been a 12 min mile to a 9 min mile. The more consistently I run the faster I am

throoper

I'm 5'5" and can run a ~8:30 min mile on a 5k or a ~9:15 min mile on a half marathon. I usually run about 9-9:30 min mile when I'm out jogging. Definitely just doing it more, and doing speedwork (sprint intervals) will vastly help your pace! But I do like to blame my shortish legs too